The Proust Questionnaire is a form of interview popularized by French novelist Marcel Proust, focused on the interviewee’s personality.

(Interview Conducted in Spring 2024)

Natoya: “Heya everyone! I’m Natoya C. Raymond, proud represntative of the Caribbean and a senior here at WIU. It is an honor to have been chosen for the Proust Questionnaire this year, and I hope that you all enjoy reading this year’s publication.”

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The Mirror & The Lamp (M&L): What is your greatest extravagance?

Natoya: Getting new chapters on anything that is animated or visual. I spend money on posters–anything that helps “colorfy” me!

M&L: What is your current state of mind?

Natoya: Hectic. It is so hectic. I’m holding so many positions: Managing Editor of both Elements and The Mirror & The Lamp, and I’m doing honors work in the library.

M&L: When and where were you the happiest?

Natoya: I think, looking back, I was happiest in Dominica, my home country. I still miss my family and friends more than I thought I would!

M&L: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Natoya: I would change my ability to be shackled by my fear. I even have a poster in my room. It says: “Fear is your shackle.” I’m working on it!

M&L: What do you value most in your friends?

Natoya: Honesty. I would rather have friends who are honest with me than friends who would lie to me about my abilities.

M&L: What is your most marked characteristic?

Natoya: My smile! I smile at both appropriate and inappropriate times.

M&L: What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Natoya: When you are alone in your room and just staring at your ceiling, saying, “Why am I here?”

M&L: Were you to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

Natoya: I think I would come back to another time, not the past, but the future. I want to see if it has changed. I’m curious.

M&L: What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Natoya: Is there such a thing? But my idea of happiness is quite simple: to be with those I love!

M&L: What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Natoya: I’m here: coming to America. It is because I had the courage to leave my home, everyone I know and love, and come here, to meet new people and have new experiences.

M&L: What is your favourite occupation?

Natoya: My favorite occupation: probably one that doesn’t exist. I’d love to just have money without doing anything.

M&L: What is your favourite color, and subsequently, what is your favourite flower?

Natoya: Not sure. I used to like blue but it was more because my parents said that was their favorite color when I was younger. I’m not sure I have one. And I like how flowers look, I don’t have a preference.

M&L: What is your favourite bird [or animal]?

I love cats; they are soooo cute and fluffy. They are, for sure, my favorite animal.

M&L: Who are your favourite painters and composers [artists]?

All webtoon independent artists. I appreciate their less realistic designs and I love to see how their art grows over time.

M&L: If not yourself, who would you be?

I think I’d like to be some non-human dignitary from another world, one that is filled with magic and wonder.